NEWSLETTER

OUR MISSION: To preserve the natural and cultural heritage of El Charco del Ingenio, and maintain a botanical garden dedicated to the conservation and study of regional flora and ecosystems, with a primary focus on environmental education.

PICACHOS, TAMBULA, PRESA ALLENDE: PROGRESS IN THE CREATION OF A NATURAL PROTECTED AREA

Last April the final project to safeguard the environmental heritage of a large area of the municipalities of San Miguel de Allende and Comonfort was presented. It will comprise a land area of over 34,000 hectares and will be named Natural Protected Area Tambula - Palo Huerfano - Presa Allende.

The project was presented in the Botanical Garden by the state Institute of Ecology, as a result of several months of work of the consultant team contracted to set the proposed declaration. In a first meeting the presentation was aimed at city officials, business and NGOs; a second session was dedicated to representatives of rural communities included in the proposed polygon. Although it will be necessary to share more information on the scope of the project with all sectors, the consensus in favor of the natural area seems already unquestionable.

The creation of the natural area brings fresh air to the San Miguel of today, affected by serious threats to its natural and cultural heritage. Fresh air against systematic violation of the norms of environmental protection, indiscriminate exploitation of aquifers, increasing pollution of streams and reservoirs, spreading of unsustainable housing developments and the imposition of an industrial mega-park located –believe it or not-- upstream El Charco del Ingenio and the town of San Miguel. We hope that the new natural area will be respected and effectively protected by the authorities at all levels.

A RAINY AND FLOWERING SPRING

This Spring has been an exceptionally green and flowering one at the Botanical Garden and the region, due to the abundant and atypical rains in the months of March and April. Various herbs, vines and shrubs that usually are not green and in bloom until early Summer, can be seen flowering in El Charco right now as a rare phenomenon. Hopefully, during the Summer we will continue to receive the normal rainfall for the period and that these atypical rains that occurred are of benefit to the flora of the region. We invite visitors and users of the Garden to see the diverse and colorful native flowers in the protected area of El Charco.

AGAVES BLOOM IN THE CHARCO

While the previous month was marked by an exceptional blooming of cacti, now you can see many flowers of the agave and Yucca in the family Agavaceae, in the Botanical Garden’s collection. Maguey species such as Agave mitis, A. victoria-reginae, A. difformis, A. shrevei, A. salmiana and A. mapisaga, among other species of the family, have projected their long, erect stalks in the air, resembling a giant asparagus protruding over the landscape. The stalks, locally known as "quiotes", have a wide variety of traditional uses, from food to building materials. The baked quiote of many species of Agave is prized as sweet fiber, while the dry stalks are used in various communities as building material for homes and animal pens, and even to make artificial nests for birds in captivity. The honey smelling flower pouring from the quiotes of the maguey is also edible, being visited by numerous pollinators like bees, bumblebees, bats and hummingbirds. This May El Charco becomes an ideal place to admire these majestic plant structures.

LEARNING TO FLY

At this time of year, it is common that many of our visitors and friends find small birds on the ground and collect them with great concern to ask what they can do to save them. The answer is: nothing.
Nothing? We need to understand the natural process by which the chicks learn to fly. Just at the end of Spring, all those birds that were born this year are beginning their first flights. It is normal while learning to spend much time on the ground, for leaving the nest and moving their wings for the first time is not easy when they do not yet have enough strength and muscle to maintain long flights. Usually a parent follows the slope and comes to the constant call of these "fledglings" to locate and feed them. It is clear that during this process a chick may be attacked by cats, dogs, squirrels, other birds --and by humans, when trying to "save" them occurs.
If you find a little bird on the ground with opaque colors, yellow edges on the beak, with incipient front plumage but complete wings and tail feathers, it means it is a "fledgling". No need to touch it, lift it and feed it, as it is well. You can move away and hide a bit and after a short time you will see how a parent flies to feed it. If so, you can safely continue your walk and be assured that you have observed a simple and amazing natural phenomenon

UPCOMING EVENTS

COURSE: SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATION

From May 4 to 8 Last places

In the framework of collaboration between El Charco del Ingenio and the Botanical Garden in Denver, Colorado, this course will be devoted to the anatomy of butterflies and their physical traits. Both group and individual attention takes place in the Boveda (the Dome) at the Botanical Garden from 10am to 2pm, under the leadership of Randall Raak. At the end of the course students will have made a drawing that can be framed, displayed or included in a personal portfolio.
For more information:
charcodelingeniocomunicacion@gmail.com

CELEBRATION OF PLANTS AND BIODIVERSITY

Saturday, May 23 / 11 a.m.
Free admission

On May 18, the International Day of Fascination of Plants is celebrated, and El Charco will commemorate this day altogether with the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22) on Saturday 23 with two activities that are worth noting.
The day will begin at 11a.m. with an interesting lecture by Rolando Tenoch Barcenas Luna, specialist in the field of cacti at the Autonomous University of Queretaro and authority in the Certification of Endangered Mexican Cacti (CCMA, http: // www. uaq.mx/ccma/), who will speak on the importance of this botanical family for both humans and ecosystems.
At 12p.m. a workshop demonstrating how to transplant cacti will be hosted by Martina Garcia, curator of El Charco’s plant collection, who will show the right way to make this move without stressing or harming the plants.
At the end of the event, attendees will get a copy of adoption of an endangered cactus.

LECTURES

The influence of lunar rhythms on the successful results of daily life
Saturday 9, 16 and 23 May / 11hrs.
Admission 100 pesos per conference, members 70 pesos.

Conducted by Alicia Mayo, this course is based on ancient wisdom to know the lunar rhythms and its relationship to daily activities (health, gardening, agriculture, etc.), ensuring successful results if performed in the most opportune moments.
The program includes topics such as the lunar cycles or phases of the Moon; the Zodiac table; harmony with lunar rhythms; the influence of the position of the Moon on food; the rhythm of the body’s organs during the day; corporeal influences in each sign of the Zodiac; the lunar rhythms in the garden and in agriculture, and the qualities of the impulses of the Zodiac signs.

OPERACIÓN HUIZACHE IN EL CHARCO

Plant Conservation Workshop
Saturday, May 30 / 9am
Free admission

Come and share this program of management workshops, pruning and cleaning of native vegetation, which will be taught in El Charco from May and throughout several months. The workshops will be led by Vicente Yazbek, who is dedicated, from his ranch in San Miguel, to rehabilitation of trees and other regional plants. This program is the start of a collaboration between the Botanical Garden and the Operation Huizache project in order to learn and practice effective techniques to deal with various pests that threaten the local vegetation.

Our Wish List has been successful!

Here are some of the items we have received from the community during the past months:
❂ For the cafeteria: a very good stove
❂ For the naturalists: a second wildlife camera (we now have four!)
❂ For the office: an Epson multi-task printer
❂ Four wheel drive pickup truck with a back seat
❂ 15 seat van for transporting people to and from el Charco
❂ For our custodians who keep a watchful eye on every corner of the reserve: two sets of good binoculars.

El Charco is still in need of many other items. If you have any of the items below or can donate the equivalent in pesos you will be helping to support a great, local cause.

We still need:
❂ One set of good binoculars
❂ For the gardeners: two professional weed cutters
❂ For the office: propane heaters
❂ For special visitors: a wheelchair
❂ For staff and special visitors: an electric golf cart
❂ For parent’s sake: a “cross” child stroller
❂ For communications department: semi-pro camera (Nikon D7100, Canon EOS Rebel T3)
❂ For the science center: telescope to observe birds
❂ If you want to make a lasting donation with a large impact: our greenhouse conservatory needs new covering and new sunshade

COMING TO EL CHARCO BY TAXI?

Some of visitors use taxis for transportation to the Botanical Garden. However, some may have doubts about how to return to town. We remind all our visitors and users that El Charco has an agreement with radio taxis company of San Miguel for safe transfer from El Charco to the center or other parts of the city. Just ask for a taxi at the reception Garden. The fee for the return trip is 60 pesos-a little more than one-way fare to Charco from the center, which should not be more than 40 pesos. We recommend you and the driver agree on the fare before boarding the taxi.

PUBLICATIONS OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

Throughout its existence, El Charco has published several books and pamphlets in Spanish and English, on flora and natural resources of the reserve and the region of San Miguel de Allende. To these, other publications by researchers and scientific institutions on related subjects have been added. All are issues of great interest and quality, and are on sale at the Gift Shop.

Click on the book for more information about it.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE MONTH OF MAY

Bird-watching Tours

Every first and third Wednesday of the month, 9 am – 11:30 am. English Cost: 100 pesos general public | 60 pesos El Charco members
Guides include Signe Hammer, Norman Besman, Luke Rich and Michael Wheatcroft.
The walks are for birders of all levels. They begin at 9:00 am and last about 2 1/2 hours. No reservations needed, and feel free to leave the walk at any time. Please bring binoculars, wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat, and bring water. Your guide will meet you after you pass through the Reception area of the Botanical Garden.

Come and bird watch with us – you’ll be surprised!!

TOURS IN SPANISH available. Saturday 10 & 24th, at 8a.m.

Info.:charcodelingeniocomunicacion@gmail.com

Guided Tours in El Charco

Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 am

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 am| in English
Duration: two hours Cost: $80 pesos, members $50

Visit the Conservatory of Mexican Plants, the Scented Garden and the canyon, archeological ruins and much more. We recommend you wear sunscreen, and bring a hat.

Don’t forget the free transportation from town to El Charco on these days.

THE FULL MOON CEREMONY

Sunday, May 3rd | 8p.m. | Plaza of 4 Winds | admission 30pesos

We invite everyone to this open celebration that has been taking place for many years during the full moon cycle at the Four Winds Plaza in the Botanical Garden under the always surprising direction of Alicia Mayo. It’s worth arriving a little early to admire the setting of the sun and the appearance of the moon over the mountains. You may want to bring a coat for cool evenings and you may bring a musical instrument.
Alicia Mayo : 152 .0376.

This sweat-lodge steam bath, of ritual and healing character, takes place under the direction of an experienced temazcal leader in the ruins of the hacienda located in the Botanical Garden on the far side of the reservoir.
The combination of heat, humidity and fragrant herbs provides a purifying experience for the body and spirit. Its benefits are multiple: it activates circulation, increases the body’s defenses, eliminates pains, decreases uric acid, relaxes the muscles, regulates the nervous system, stimulates respiration and is excellent for losing weight.

We suggest bringing a flashlight for when you go from the temazal to the reception